Our Friend Michael and Emma

This is a picture of a friend named Michael and Emma. It was Michael's 15th birthday when it was taken. I use to tutor him in reading for a few years. It included the first year I had Emma. He has loved Emma all these years. He use to read to Emma during our tutoring session. Emma was a good listener.

As good fortune would have it, I knew him because he was the brother of my Becky's boyfriend. Well now they married so he is Becky's brother in law. We do see him and he is always delightful especially with Emma. At his party he took Emma outside in the snow. They had such fun. Michael told me that Emma showed him a whole new meaning to having fun in the snow. I treaure this picture.

So now I can put pictures from my camera on this site again. Now I better take more. I would take more of Emma in the snow but she blends in, moves fast, and even if I get her to sit and stay - well my hand tremors so some don't turn out ha ha.

It snowed today so of course she was delighted. Greg was off for one day after a 73 hour work week. She got outside a lot with him or with me. We also had a date night. She was well behaved (no surprise). We had a very generous gift card from Becky and her husband to use. It was fun.

I have been having trouble sleeping at night. Today I took a big nap and also tried to do some relaxing things. I have so much trouble with anxiety. Emma helps with that too. I think I will sleep better tonight. I hope so anyway. Emma even looks tired in the morning when I am up and down at night. She very kindly gets up with me.

They said on the news in February we will really notice getting more hours of daylight each week. That should help my mood. I like four seasons but this seems like a long winter to me. Thank you to Greg and my friends that I do get out of the house for events.

We had such a relaxing dinner, no distractions, no preparation, no dishes. A good day for all.

Hope you have a good day. Mary and Emma

Snowy Sunday Night

Hi All,

I guess right now I just can't muster what it takes to write every day. I have been more fatigued and forget or can't think of what to write. Keep checking in though I don't plan to stop blogging.

Emma loves that snow is falling. i watched her play just now. We had a nice day. We were home much of it. We did go to lunch at Olive Garden with friends. We had kind an odd placed table and it was crowded. She was more visible because she really couldn't get "under" the table. Instead she was on the side of my chair. The people in surrounding tables complimented me on her behavior. She also did very well considering we were so close to a busy aisle. Certainly not the best seatting arrangement for us but she did well.

One gentleman was so excited to come see us. He apparently gives to helping paws, and was thrilled to see a dog in action in his community. This time my friends volunteered information on how helpful she was and I did also. My friends are so supportive of Emma and appreciate her relationship with me. We had a nice time and then headed home to rest. Like I said, i have been so tired.

those of you with MS, I just can't wait to be on ampyra again. We are waiting for insurance approval. I notice the difference in how far I can walk, I am steadier, stairs are easier, and I just feel stronger. It does not help everyone wiht MS but it sure has helped me and a few friends of mine. But I also know people who find it does not help at all. Well I think I have mentioned that before.

Emma helped with laundry, some picking up, and snuggled with me today too. Greg worked a long day and boy do I like both her help but her company. I wonder what she thinks when I talk so much to her? Her tail wags so she at least likes the attentions. It is surprising to me how much she does seem to know what I mean - not just the cues/commands that she knew when she first entered my life.

It is suppose to snow a lot. 6-8 inches? I think anyway. I am so tired I can't think - better go to bed.

Have a good week. Mary

Thursday

Water excercise and then wiped out for the day. I can't even spell. We are off to bed. More news tomorrow I hope and this weekend. Thanks for checking in on us.

Emma even waited for her evening meal so I could take a very long and very late nap. Thank you dear Emma.

Mary and Emma

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=P9Fyey4D5hg

This is a video someone sent me. Maybe I should teach Emma to put her food dish in the dishwasher?

I know nothing about who made it and if it is all legitimate or touched up. I do my service dog can do most of this.

Wed and wishing you a good night

wow I was tired again today. We were out and about in the morning but napped from 1-5. Emma's tummy was the alarm clock this time. I even slept through some phone calls and that is not like me.

We are having a warmer spell of weather so Emma is enjoying the outside yard a lot. I go out with her but then end up sitting down inside (watching her) as she lasts longer than I do. When we need her to go in a hurry she will but how I love days like this when she can be out longer and explore the smells and so on. Like a women on the news said you feel like spring fever when it is about zero again. But it will be cooler again by the weekend. I think these weather reminds us that it won't be cold forever. W
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We hope to grill tomorrow night. We have water exercise and a nap planned. Hopefully not such a long nap. I have some things I want to do including reading. I just read "Still Alice" and am starting "Look Again". Both of them book club books.

I am out of ampyra the medication that helps MS patients with walking. It does not work for all of them. It helps me walk a further distance, faster, and be stronger. That means I can lift my leg easier so I do steps better also. I really appreciate how it helped me now that I am off it. UGH. Like in target with it I can walk with a cart some distance (varies by how tired I am). Without it I have to use an electric cart for every part of it or just sit somewhere and wait for Greg to shop. That is how much difference it made for me.

On my insurance I have to be reviewed every three months for my progress by the doctor. They observe and docuement my walking and I don't know what else they complete on the form. Well I didn't know that and ran out. Then it takes awhile for all of the paperwork to go through and it to be reviewed again by insurance. I have been without it at least two weeks. I hope this does not happen every three weeks. We are working with insurance and the pharmacy to see if we can move things faster next time. It will involve extra dr appts which is okay because they want to observe other things now too. I have another MRI in April too . MS is never dull.

I believe with the Ampyra and time to build myself up that in the summer I will be actually able to "walk" myself when I "walk" Emma. The heat and living on a hill will make an impact. But some summers I can't walk to my neighbors very easily even with a walker. I am optimistic that though not a "cure for MS" this medicine will help us get out in the yard more, visit neighbors more etc. And participate in more outdoor things. Again HEat is an issue and very cold for me too. But anything that helps you hope and dream is good for me.

I also can stand longer so playing with Emma in the yard might mean I can stand more and not just sit in the chait! I will still need her to pick up things, help retrieving, taking off socks and so much more. I saw a cute video on u tube about what a small dog was trained to do to help the owner. I will try to post it. So much of it Emma can do but some depends on her size. The little dog can pull the chain on a table lamp to turn it off. Emma would pull it off the table and I don't have that type of lamp anyway.


I am so use to Emma that I am amazed when I see such clips of how unusual the tasks are for a dog to complete. With Emma part of my routing. I don't always recall how cute, surprising and interesting it is to others. I know with blog readers some see Emma or read all the time so am not always aware to include what she can do. I will try to incoperate that into my writings.

Emma needs to go outside for the last time tonight. At this hour I watch from the patio door. In the summer though I usually sit outside watching her.

Thanks for reading the blog. Emma is a wonderful dog. I am thrilled if they renew the medication and it helps me in my care of her. It is not a miracle - I won't walk miles - but being steadier on my feet is a great thing.

Mary and Emma

Book Club Monday

Book Club was today. They always set out a bowl of water at the book store where we meet. Emma enjoys that. She showed off her great behavior. We had a nice time.

Not good luck with our car. A flat tire. Then while driving on the spare Greg got another flat tire. Scary and on the freeway. He is fine. New tire now.

It is warmer (above zero I think) and Emma likes being outside even longer. We had fun outside. I also watch her from the patio door some of the times. We had a good day. I am so glad to be feeling better.

Thanks for the birthday wishes for Emma. My friends today sang to her and I let them pet her too. A friend dropped a mitten and was so impressed Emma picked it up for her (when I asked her to). I reminded them Emma does things like that for me all the time.

The time passed quickly tonight. We are tired and are ready for bed. Greg got a different card reader that we hope will work with my camera. Time to start taking more pictures. I like showing her in the outdoors but she kind of blends with the snow.

May you have a good day. My new great niece's name is Addison Grace. Isn't that a pretty name?

Mary and Emma wish you a good week.

Happy Birthday Emma

Emma is 8 years old today! I finally am feeling better. It was a quiet day but a good one..my great niece was born today! A happy day!

Emma got a special dinner and lots of affection. She enjoyed time outside and indoor play.

I will write more tomorrow and hope to have pictures.

Have a good week! Mary and Emma